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Washington – Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Regulatory Affairs, introduced the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act with the support of 13 colleagues. The legislation is included in the House Democrats’ “Make it in America Agenda,” a plan that focuses on creating the conditions for American businesses and middle-class America to thrive. The bill – introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) – has also been included in the Senate’s Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative.

The legislation would establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program under the Department of Energy to provide competitive grants to states to establish or expand programs to finance energy efficient retrofit, onsite clean and renewable energy, smart grid, and alternative vehicle fleet projects for industrial businesses.

“Strengthening manufacturing in the U.S. must be one of our top economic priorities. Investing in energy efficiency manufacturing will help revitalize and modernize the American industrial and manufacturing sector while reducing energy costs and helping the environment,” said Cartwright. “When we establish innovative programs at the state-level, we encourage the necessary conditions for economic growth. This legislation would help support middle-class American jobs and benefit American businesses.”

“I commend Congressman Cartwright for his leadership and commitment to supporting our manufacturing industry, which has continued to lead our nation’s economic recovery. His bill, the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act, is part of House Democrats’ Make It In America plan to strengthen businesses and create good-paying jobs. This bill will help our country’s businesses pursue energy efficiency projects that will reduce their expenses so they can redirect funds into hiring and expansion. I congratulate Congressman Cartwright on the introduction of this common-sense job creation legislation, an example of his continued efforts to strengthen American businesses,” said Minority Whip Steny Hoyer.

The potential energy savings for the industrial and manufacturing sector are significant. The industrial sector could reduce its $200 billion annual energy bill by 25 percent by 2020 with new investment in only the cost-effective energy efficiency measures. Investments in energy efficient upgrades to manufacturing facilities would also create green jobs for contractors and businesses in the construction sector that retrofit the buildings. According to American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, every $1 million invested in energy efficiency supports approximately 20 jobs in the construction industry, which is among the most labor intensive sectors and was hit hard during this recent recession.